Name Date

40 RECOGNIZING THE CORRECT USE OF PARALLELISM

Parallelism involves presenting equal ideas in words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of similar
types.

Parallel Words The restaurant was noisy, busy, and crowded. (adjectives)
Parallel Phrases It was around noon and during the lunchtime rush. (prepositional phrases)
Parallel Clauses I couldn’t find the meal that I ordered last time and that I enjoyed. (relative clauses)
Parallel Sentences You can curse the darkness. You can light a candle instead.
(sentences with similar grammatical structures)

PRACTICE A Identifying Parallel Grammatical Structures

Read each sentence. Underline the parallel words, phrases, or clauses.
Example: The necklace that I bought yesterday and that I can’t find now is in a red box.
Answer: The necklace that I bought yesterday and that I can’t find now is in a red box.
1. Impressionism, Realism, and Cubism are major art movements.
2. Most people like buying things but not paying for them.
3. Next week I will rake the leaves out of the pool, add chemicals, and clean the filter.
4. Dalmatians have a white coat, black spots, and floppy ears.
5. Andy went to the baseball game that Mariah played in and that Darleen coached.
6. Lucita swam at the community pool, while Adam golfed at a local golf course.
7. To make my decision, I need to make a list and to consider the pros and cons.
8. Chuck decided to attend West Virginia University and to study electrical engineering.
9. Skiing is exciting, but falling is not.

PRACTICE B Recognizing Parallel Grammatical Structures

Read each item. Match the item on the left with the words on the right that best complete each sentence,
using parallel structure. The first sentence has been completed for you.
D 1. Angie appreciates contemporary poetry A. and prepared.
2. She likes sketching landscapes B. and to cook anything that he catches.
3. Camping was enjoyable, C. and hopes to join a ballet troupe someday.
4. Ven plans to go trout fishing D. and Renaissance art.
5. Norma studies dance E. but canoeing was hard.
6. Before the test, I felt confident F. and photographing wildlife.

Writing and Speaking Application

Write five sentences with parallel ideas. Trade papers with a partner. You and your partner should
underline the parallel ideas. Take turns reading the sentences aloud.

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41 CORRECTING FAULTY PARALLELISM

Faulty parallelism occurs when a writer uses unequal grammatical structures to express related
ideas.

Nonparallel Words Issa was friendly, outgoing, and talked a lot.

(two adjectives vs. a predicate; parallel = talkative)
Nonparallel Phrases James managed to catch the football and scoring a touchdown.
(infinitive phrase vs. gerund phrase; parallel = to score a touchdown)
Nonparallel Clauses The cat needs food, and water needs to be given to the dog.
(active voice vs. passive voice; parallel = the dog needs water)

PRACTICE A Identifying Faulty Parallelism

Read each sentence. Decide whether the underlined words are parallel. Write P for parallel and NP for
not parallel.
Example: The decision is to go first to the movie and then hanging out at my house.
Answer: NP
1. The arena has an NHL-regulation rink and there’s a concession stand.
2. Rick asked me to take his picture with my phone and to email it to him.
3. Darrell lives in a flat downtown and working in a high-rise one block away.
4. We listened to the song that Lenny wrote and that Marv played on his guitar.
5. Are you going to buy refreshments and reserving the room for our meeting?
6. Todd promised to bring granola bars and lending me a thermos for our hike.
7. This mountain bike has disc brakes and tires that are knobby.
8. The design of the crystal chandelier was simple, beautiful, and of a clean style.
9. Danilo agreed to mow the neighbor’s lawn and trimming their hedges.
10. I want to buy her favorite flowers and to surprise her with a bunch.

PRACTICE B Revising to Eliminate Faulty Parallelism

Read each sentence. Then, on the line provided, revise the underlined word or words to correct any
faulty parallelism.
Example: Local volunteers and volunteers on a national level worked on the campaign.
Answer: national volunteers
1. We don’t have time to tour the courthouse and for sitting in on a mock trial.
2. Ella expects to stay with relatives and visiting friends.
3. My mom needs to pick me up from school and dropping Shelly off at work.
4. The summer evening was oppressively hot and sweltered.
5. The raspberry lemonade that is on special and I ordered it is delicious.

Writing and Speaking Application

Write five sentences with nonparallel structure. Trade papers with a partner. You and your partner
should correct any faulty parallelism. Take turns reading the sentences aloud.

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42 CORRECTING FAULTY PARALLELISM IN A SERIES

Faulty parallelism in a series occurs when a writer lists items or ideas with unequal grammatical
structures.

Nonparallel Structure Correction

The chef showed me how to grill, to sear, and poaching The chef showed me how to grill, to sear, and to poach
salmon. salmon.
I practiced grilling, searing, and to poach salmon. I practiced grilling, searing, and poaching salmon.

PRACTICE A Identifying Faulty Parallelism in a Series

Read each sentence. Underline the words in each series that are nonparallel.
Example: To make hot cocoa, boil a cup of water, adding the packet of cocoa, and stir.
Answer: To make hot cocoa, boil a cup of water, adding the packet of cocoa, and stir.
1. The lead part in the play is a dishonest, domineering, and full of quirks entrepreneur.
2. For a tasty treat, spoon plain yogurt into a bowl, sprinkling it with granola, and serve.
3. Open the door, the code is entered, and deactivate the alarm as soon as you come in.
4. My dad ordered tilapia filets, my mom ordered pasta, and chicken was my choice.
5. Review your notes, outline the chapter, and the questions must be answered.
6. I’m thinking about being a civil engineer, a public accountant, or to practice tax law.
7. Water African violets from the bottom, never use soft water, and the soil must be kept moist.
8. Which option do you prefer: going golfing, playing chess, or we could ride bikes?

PRACTICE B Revising to Eliminate Faulty Parallelism in a Series

Read each sentence. Then, rewrite the sentence to correct any nonparallel structures.
Example Yvonne spent her afternoon singing, laughing, and chatted with Becky.
Answer: Yvonne spent her afternoon singing, laughing, and chatting with Becky.
1. The abandoned car was old and in dilapidated shape.

2. The orange was sweet, juicy, and it satisfied me.

3. He expected his competitor to come prepared, to give it her all, and fighting to the end.

4. Calvin defrosted, marinated, and had grilled the chicken.

5. Kwame enjoys playing lacrosse, to read graphic novels, and texting with friends.

Writing and Speaking Application

Write five sentences that have a parallel series. Trade papers with a partner. You and your partner
should check for correct parallelism and make corrections if necessary. Take turns reading the sentences
aloud.

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43 CORRECTING FAULTY PARALLELISM IN COMPARISONS

Faulty parallelism occurs when a writer uses nonparallel words, phrases, or clauses in
comparisons.

In making comparisons, writers generally should compare a phrase with the same type of phrase and a
clause with the same type of clause.
Nonparallel Structure Correction
Joggers prefer asphalt surfaces to running on concrete. Joggers prefer asphalt surfaces to concrete surfaces.

PRACTICE A Identifying Faulty Parallelism in a Comparison

Read each pair of sentences. Put a check mark next to the sentence with correct parallelism in a comparison.
Example: a. I enjoy dancing as much as to sing.
Answer: b. I enjoy dancing as much as singing. ✓
1. a. Saul prefers mustard to ketchup.
b. Saul prefers mustard to using ketchup.
2. a. I would rather listen to podcasts on my phone than read articles on my computer.
b. I would rather listen to podcasts on my phone than reading articles on my computer.
3. a. Henry likes jumping out of planes more than studying for tests.
b. Henry likes jumping out of planes more than to study for tests.
4. a. Angie prefers the ocean to swimming in the lake.
b. Angie prefers the ocean to the lake.
5. a. Wendy would choose going skiing over staying in the lodge.
b. Wendy would choose going skiing over the lodge.

PRACTICE B Revising to Eliminate Faulty Parallelism in a Comparison

Read each sentence. Then, rewrite the sentence to correct any faulty parallelism.
Example: The bathtub is as long as the width of it.
Answer: The bathtub is as long as it is wide.
1. Kelly prefers taking the scenic route rather than to use the shortcut.

2. Marsha plays tennis almost as well as she is skilled at bowling.

3. Lynn left in the morning rather than departing in the evening.

4. Anita prefers cauliflower to eating broccoli.

Writing and Speaking Application

Using parallel comparisons, write a paragraph about a comical event. Read the paragraph aloud to a
group. The group members should point out and correct any faulty parallelism.

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Name Date

44 RECOGNIZING FAULTY COORDINATION

When two or more independent clauses of unequal importance are joined by and or another
coordinating conjunction, the result can be faulty coordination.

Faulty coordination occurs when two clauses are connected by a coordinating conjunction, but a
subordinating conjunction, a relative pronoun, or a different coordinating conjunction would better
express the relationship between the ideas in the two clauses. Consider the example in the chart:
Faulty Coordination Ed didn’t answer the door when I knocked, and he didn’t hear me.
Correct Coordination Ed didn’t answer the door when I knocked because he didn’t hear me.

PRACTICE A Recognizing Correct Coordination and Subordination

Read each item. Match each item on the left with the words on the right that best complete the sentence,
using correct coordination or subordination. The first one has been completed for you.
C 1. I ride the same bus as Tina A. as soon as Alonzo walked in.
2. We complimented his new haircut B. when Jorge asked her to go to prom!
3. The party starts at seven, C. since she lives on my street.
4. Bonita worked at the dunking booth D. while the fair was in town.
5. Nelly was so excited E. Claire turned left at the light.
6. When she noticed the detour sign, F. but I can’t be there until eight.

PRACTICE B Recognizing Faulty Coordination

Read each sentence. If the sentence has faulty coordination, write FC. If it does not have faulty
coordination, write correct.
Example: Fabio is annoyed with me, and I forgot to bring my volleyball to the picnic.
Answer: FC
1. Mr. Reed hoped to chaperone the senior trip, and the class was going to New York.
2. Don and Cheryl have become close friends even though they met just recently.
3. Mrs. Domenic is an accountant, so she can give you tax advice.
4. When the train blew its whistle as it passed our house, it startled Mercedes.
5. Seneca called in sick to work, and she had been up all night coughing and sneezing.
6. We’d be happy to offer you a map, and you seem lost.
7. Will you put gas in the car, and I go inside and ask for directions?
8. Whenever Hector stocked the refrigerator, he put in fresh vegetables and fruits.

Writing and Speaking Application

Take turns with a partner reading aloud the sentences from Practice B. Then, choose and write down three
sentences with faulty coordination from Practice B. Trade papers with your partner, who should rewrite
the three sentences to correct the faulty coordination. Then, switch roles with your partner.

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Name Date

45 CORRECTING FAULTY COORDINATION

Faulty coordination is caused by an unclear relationship between clauses and can be corrected by
making the relationship between those clauses clear.

Faulty Coordination The coral reef is a diverse habitat, and it is home to many odd organisms.
Divided Into Two Sentences The coral reef is a diverse habitat. Many odd organisms live there.
One Clause Subordinated The coral reef is a diverse habitat where many odd organisms live.
One Clause Changed to a Phrase The coral reef, a diverse habitat, is home to many odd organisms.

PRACTICE A Revising to Eliminate Faulty Coordination

Read each sentence. For each sentence, show how you would begin to create two sentences to correct
the faulty coordination: Draw a vertical line where the first sentence would end.
Example: My dad received a promotion at work, and thankfully, we won’t have to move.
Answer: My dad received a promotion at work, | and thankfully, we won’t have to move.
1. The subway is always crowded in the mornings, and I hope I can find a seat.
2. Giorgio is an accomplished pianist, and he practices every day.
3. Tia Rosalinda opened a bakery in San Antonio, and I love her pies.
4. You can choose a variety of features for your phone, and I want to get a red one.
5. Gila woodpeckers have a gray head with a small red cap, and they are my favorite bird.

PRACTICE B Using Subordination to Eliminate Faulty Coordination

Read each sentence. Then, rewrite each sentence, changing the less important idea into a phrase or a
subordinate clause.
Example: Shen approached the clerk to ask questions, and he was shopping for a gift.
Answer: While he was shopping for a gift, Shen approached the clerk to ask questions.
1. Jaime presented her proposal to the committee, and it was at the regional conference.

2. A rundown truck drove down the road, and it was rumbling loudly and billowing smoke.

3. Traffic stood at a standstill for hours after the accident, and it was on Harts Road.

4. The produce counter was piled with peaches, and Li Ming was standing at the counter.

5. Mrs. Lucci checked the mailbox, and she hoped that her paycheck had been delivered.

Writing and Speaking Application

Choose two sentences from Practice B. Correct the faulty coordination by rewriting each sentence as two
separate sentences. Trade papers with a partner, and take turns reading aloud the revised sentences.

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